CALA GAT - Balearic Islands

Cala Gat isn't your average Mediterranean wreck. We've dived plenty of rust buckets, but this carrier, sunk off Palma in '73, has a real presence. At 36 metres long, it’s a decent size, lying upright at 18 metres. You can still make out the main deck and cargo hold. We love how the light plays through the open sections, illuminating the clouds of damselfish that call this home. Exploring Cala Gat, you'll find the structure heavily encrusted with sponges and tube worms. Look closely and you’ll spot scorpionfish camouflaged on the hull and moray eels peeking from crevices. The stern section, in particular, always draws us in; it’s a little more broken up, creating some nice swim-throughs for those comfortable with overhead environments. This site is a great pick for divers who appreciate a wreck with a story, offering enough penetration options to keep things interesting without being overly complex. It’s a proper dive, not just a quick look-around.

Location
Balearic Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
39.548832, 2.648833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Wreck History - CALA GAT

Year Sunk
1973
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The Cala Gat was a 36-meter carrier vessel that met its end on September 11, 1973, when it foundered and sank near Palma de Mallorca. 'Foundering' indicates the ship was overwhelmed by the sea, likely due to a severe leak or rough weather, but the specific details of her loss are not widely documented. She came to rest upright on a sandy bottom at a depth of 18 meters, placing her well within the limits of open water divers.

This wreck is officially classified as a 'Dangerous Wreck,' a designation that adds a layer of intrigue and caution to the dive. This warning is due to potential hazards like sharp metal edges, collapsing sections, and the risk of entanglement from snagged fishing lines. For properly trained divers, however, the Cala Gat is a thrilling exploration. Its compact size makes it easy to navigate in a single dive, and its cargo holds and superstructure offer fascinating areas to peer into. Over the years, it has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, attracting schools of fish, moray eels, and octopuses to its metallic skeleton.

Marine Protected Area: Àrea marina Cap de cala Figuera

Best Time to Dive in Balearic Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Balearic Islands occur in August, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 14.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 15.3°C
  • February: 14.8°C
  • March: 15.2°C
  • April: 16.4°C
  • May: 19.3°C
  • June: 22.5°C
  • July: 26.2°C
  • August: 27.4°C
  • September: 25.9°C
  • October: 23.4°C
  • November: 19.6°C
  • December: 16.5°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Balearic Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to CALA GAT

Marine Life in Balearic Islands

Home to 150 recorded species including 110 reef fish, 11 octopus & squid, 11 sharks & rays, 5 whales & dolphins, 4 crabs & lobsters, 3 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for CALA GAT

Based on average water temperature of 20.2°C, currents 12 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 20°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories